LEDs as bulbs on vehicles

[darmstadt]

There is a problem with LEDs being used in lights outside, in particular traffic lights as they don't generate heat. This means that when it snows and the snow collects on the light, the LEDs don't melt it like ordinary bulbs causing the light to be covered.

[Halo Jones]

But you have to say that the LED brake lights do look pretty

[threaded]

There is a problem with LEDs being used in lights outside, in particular traffic lights as they don't generate heat. This means that when it snows and the snow collects on the light, the LEDs don't melt it like ordinary bulbs causing the light to be covered.

True, but not quite. The manufacturers know the LEDs don't make them as warm, so a heater that switches on in cold weather to melt snow on the lens is an option that can be fitted. Most councils don't purchase that option.

[threaded]

Dunno about the reliablility of the led arrays in traffic lights.

They seem to die in patches with monotonous regularity.

Though I suppose a bit still works.

Round here the new ones couldn't stand the strong winds a few weeks back, hence many of them are hanging by their wires and now covered in snow.

[Churchill]

I hate LED traffic lights!

[RichardCranium]

If you drive them with pulsed current, you can make them brighter than if you drive them with dc.

So that's why they flicker. Thank you.

[RichardCranium]

RC, have you run out of real things to whinge about? Come on... Brown's still in power, snow is stalling the country, the country's going bust...

Thank you for once again providing a valued, relevant and considered contribution that benefits us all with your insight, wisdom and wit.

Don't forget to put some boots on before you leave.

And is this your coat - the one with the toggles and the mittens sewn into the sleeves?

[Peoplesoft bloke]

So that's why they flicker. Thank you.

Pulse width mod is still dc - leds only work in one direction. Interesting though, doing a quick Google turns up a bloke complaining of flicker on the led backlighting of his macbook - he says he sees this on car lights so maybe your eyes/brain are more sensitive to it than average?

[Peoplesoft bloke]

It also appears that the last Vectras used pwm to enable a single filament bulb to be used for stop and tailght functions - but even RC probably wouldn't notice the flicker on those as the filament would stay "warm"

[kaiser78]

The new facelift Nissan Qashqai model is now using LED backlights - look pretty groovy. Will be putting my order in this week...